(Kirsty O’Connor/Pool Photo via AP)
Following the Queen’s passing, the royal family surprised everyone with a show of unity at Windsor Castle.
On Saturday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle joined Prince William and Kate Middleton for a walkaround at Windsor Castle. The group was dressed in black and greeted onlookers and accepted flowers for the late monarch.
Kensington Palace shared that it was William who invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to join him and Kate for the event. Given their years of tension, many fans were surprised at the gesture, and even security was reportedly not expecting both couples at the walkabout.
According to PEOPLE, Prince William thought the walkabout to greet the crowds “was an important show of unity at an incredibly difficult time for the family.”
A palace insider also revealed: “It’s such an extraordinary historical moment and also a deeply personal one for the family that you’d hope and think that all members of the family would unite and support [the King] especially. And perhaps some of those wounds can be healed in the process.”
On Saturday, William released an official statement about the passing of his grandmother: “On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign,” he began.
“I, however, have lost a grandmother,” he continued. “And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.”
William concluded, “My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen. I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can.”
Olivia Di Pede
Olivia loves all things fashion, beauty, and entertainment. In her free time, she can be found taking yoga classes, reading thriller novels, and styling outfits on Instagram.
